Chapter 25: It’s Not Your Fault

What kind of society is this? Old ways don’t work anymore. If we followed the rules from decades ago, wedding preparations would take over three years! Things are much easier now, so we do things the convenient way.

Thankfully, Lu Jianshen and Jiang Xiangxiang aren’t the stubborn type. Even without their parents present, it’s fine. The conditions are what they are; the wedding still needs to happen.

After Lu Jianshen entered, he put down the cigarettes, alcohol, sweets, tea, chicken, duck, fish, and pork he brought. Jiang Xiangxiang offered to help, but he didn’t need it. He did everything himself, without needing her to guide him. He seemed more familiar with the process than she, the hostess, did.

Jiang Xiangxiang busied herself opening the door for him and offering him a seat. They didn’t look like newly engaged couples, but rather a long-married couple, with a sense of unspoken understanding between them.

Aunt Chunhua watched from behind, her face beaming. She truly felt this marriage was worthwhile. The couple looked perfect together—he tall and handsome, she petite and charming; they were meant to be.

Thinking this, she felt even happier.

Ye Meiping and Jiang Rourou had already planned everything. They went out early in the morning to buy meat. As for vegetables, they had plenty at home, more than enough in the garden.

Since they were keeping guests for dinner, they had to make a good impression.

Moreover, if the two really got married, Lu Jianshen would be her son-in-law. Consider it an early welcome; no matter how you look at it, it’s a good deal.

With this in mind, Ye Meiping went to the market and bought a lot of fatty pork, planning to make braised pork with cabbage—a hearty winter dish.

However, Ye Meiping didn’t have meat coupons or enough money. She and Jiang Rourou suspected Jiang Xiangxiang had stolen the family’s money, so they had to borrow some before buying the meat.

Fortunately, she had a few close friends in the village, though their situations were similar. Birds of a feather flock together, as they say.

Returning with Jiang Rourou, they saw plenty of delicious food laid out in the yard from afar, their eyes lighting up. What good fortune!

Jiang Rourou whispered, “Mom, see? I told you Lu Jianshen is a good marriage prospect. He’s rich.”

Ye Meiping said, “Being rich is secondary. What matters is that he’s good to you. Look at your father; he’s always listened to me for all these years. I say what goes, and it’s so nice.”

She understood. A man’s looks and wealth are secondary. Even if he has a mountain of gold and silver, if he doesn’t spend it on you, it’s useless.

Ye Meiping sincerely hoped Jiang Rourou would have a good life, so she didn’t want her to marry Lu Jianshen. But she had spoiled her for so many years and never refused her requests.

Now, to firmly refuse Jiang Rourou, Ye Meiping couldn’t bring herself to do it. Since she couldn’t, she could only help her daughter achieve her wish.

Jiang Rourou listened to her mother, but her understanding was different. She firmly stated, “Mom, don’t worry. It’s easy for a woman to pursue a man. Once we’re officially married, I’ll have him wrapped around my finger. Men are all the same; it’s all about training. I know what I’m doing.”

Ye Meiping said, “You’ve been willful since you were little. Anything you set your sights on, you have to get. It was like that before, and it’s still like that now. I can’t do anything about you.”

Jiang Rourou replied, “Mom, it’s all your fault for spoiling me!”

Inside, everyone saw the mother and daughter enter but they didn’t come in or greet the new son-in-law.

Jiang Xiangxiang remained calm because she didn’t expect anything from them, so she didn’t care.

Lu Jianshen felt the same. He only cared about Jiang Xiangxiang; the others were irrelevant. Whether they came or not didn’t matter.

But Aunt Chunhua was different.

She was a well-known matchmaker in the village, which is why Lu Jianshen sought her out. Over the years, she was always treated with respect.

Now, she had been repeatedly slighted by Ye Meiping, and she was furious but had no place to vent her anger.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

“What’s with the coughing? I heard you.” Ye Meiping disliked Chunhua. If it weren’t for her, there wouldn’t be so much trouble, and Jiang Rourou wouldn’t have to take risks. It’s all her fault. “Chunhua, you’re getting better at meddling. When a family comes to propose marriage, they always choose a time when the parents are home. At the very least, they’d ask the parents’ opinion. But you, you secretly arranged their marriage without telling me.”

“What do you mean secretly? I’m here now, aren’t I? Ye Meiping, don’t just blame me. Look at yourself! What kind of mother goes out and leaves her daughter’s engagement ceremony? Are you giving Xiangxiang the cold shoulder, or are you giving me the cold shoulder?” Chunhua retorted without hesitation. When it came to verbal sparring, she wouldn’t lose to anyone. She could take on three Ye Meipings at once.

As she spoke, Ye Meiping entered and sat opposite the eight-immortal table, looking steadily at Lu Jianshen with a critical gaze, her displeasure evident.

Lu Jianshen was indeed handsome, with sharp features and dark eyes. He was the best-looking young man in the village, no wonder Jiang Rourou was so captivated.

Thinking this, she blamed Lu Jianshen for seducing her daughter and not taking responsibility, falling for a “cheap girl” and even coming to propose marriage.

Ye Meiping’s thoughts raced, her expression worsening. If it weren’t for the food, she would have chased them away.

Lu Jianshen let her scrutinize him without changing his expression, and didn’t look at Jiang Rourou once. He was very well-behaved.

Seeing Ye Meiping’s gaze, Jiang Xiangxiang felt annoyed. What was she looking at? Lu Jianshen wasn’t someone she could just stare at. She kicked Ye Meiping. If she didn’t want to ruin her image in front of Lu Jianshen, she would have confronted her directly.

Ye Meiping dramatically cried out, “Ouch! You little wretch, why did you kick me? I’m your mother! I went out to buy meat for you! What are you going to eat for lunch if I didn’t buy meat?”